Team GB legend Charlotte Dujardin has been ‘mentally crucified’ by the horse-whipping scandal that saw her banned from competing at the Paris Olympic Games.
Equestrian star Dujardin, Britain’s joint-most decorated female Olympian, was due to compete at her fourth Games in both the individual dressage and team event.
However, the 39-year-old was forced to pull out on the eve of the Paris Olympics after a video emerged showing her repeatedly whipping a horse on the legs.
In a statement, Dujardin claimed she made an ‘error of judgement’ during a coaching session four years ago and is ‘deeply ashamed’ of her actions but is still awaiting her tribunal to discover the length of any potential ban.
Months after the scandal broke, the Brit is still said to be reeling from the after-effects which include continued death threats and abuse for her actions.
‘Mentally they are crucifying her,’ an anonymous rider who rides at the same yard as Dujardin told The Times.
‘She’s got antis [anti-hunt saboteurs] outside the house, death threats. Farriers have had threats for going in and shoeing the horses. Horrific.’
As well as the impending legal battle, Dujardin has also taken a huge financial hit, with her UK Sport funding withdrawn and seven sponsors severing their ties.
The British rider could face a lengthy suspension, especially after Carina Kruth, a Danish rider who also withdrew from Paris, was recently slapped with an eight-month suspension for a similar offence.
While the whistleblower who came forward with the video has not been named yet, the Dutch equine lawyer who filed the complaint said his client took no pleasure in coming forward with the video.
‘It’s not fun to ruin a career,’ Stephan Wensing said. ‘[My client] is not celebrating; she doesn’t feel like a hero. But she told me this had to be done as she wants to save dressage.’
Alicia Dickinson, meanwhile, a dressage trainer identified as one of three people who saw the incident take place, said Dujardin had made enemies in the sport and hinted the complaint could be personally motivated.
‘I would like to make clear: I am not the whistleblower. I did not film the footage. Any online speculation is unfounded,’ the Australian said at the time on Instagram.
‘Our business relationship ended after the lesson shown in the video. Charlotte has many enemies. It could have been anyone [who leaked the video] but I got the backlash.’